By Dr. Timothy Seelig
Next week, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus begins rehearsing its amazing 38th season: Expect The Unexpected. For the past 37 years, the Chorus has been known for its tireless work representing the community in literally hundreds of performances, from street corners to symphony halls, in San Francisco and across the world. It continues to fulfill its mission of activism, community, and compassion. In addition to leading the way for LGBT choruses around the globe, it has become known for extraordinary performances, gorgeous music, and show-stopping productions—all done with its signature twist of humor and sometimes devilishly wicked surprises.
Season 38 will feature everything you love about the Chorus and those things you just didn’t see coming, making you holler out in today’s vernacular, “ONTD!” (“Oh no, they didn’t!”) We hope you won’t miss one of the four opportunities to be a part of the magic.
It all kicks off with our annual Season Preview and Brunch with the Boys: Crescendo Turns 10! on October 11. For this 10th anniversary extravaganza, we have two surprises in store: the festivities will be hosted at the Ritz-Carlton and we’ll have entertainment by the one and only Cher, a.k.a. Chad Michaels, winner of RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race! That pretty much sums it up, other than to say that there will be fabulous food, fun, and a bit of fundraising with awesome silent and live auctions.
You already know what to expect in December from your Chorus. Get ready. Well, actually there is no way to really get ready other than to get your season tickets so that you don’t miss one little jingle bell of the fun! (That was the shameless plug!)
The holiday season gets a running start at two out-of-town concerts, at the beautiful Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa and the gorgeous Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, before bringing it home to you! You’ll have six chances to hear the chorus in San Francisco—three at the Nourse Theater (December 11 + 12) and three at the Castro Theatre on December 24 for our annual “Home For The Holidays” event.
Once again, this is the “alternative” SF holiday experience like none other. If we revealed all of the surprises, they wouldn’t be surprises, would they? But here’s a little teaser: dancing elves. Well, duh! But reindeer in tutus? OK, that’s better! There will be gorgeous music you know and love as well as some brand new delights. There will be several world premieres, for which the chorus has become known. Highlights are by Broadway and cabaret composers Ernie Lijoi and Lawrence Rush and another by award-winning composer Laura Karpman, set to a text by best-selling author Rebecca Walker.
In 1990, the Chorus gathered for the first time on Christmas Eve at the Castro Theatre to truly bring the holidays home to those who had none. This year, the 25th anniversary of that first musical celebration, is a real milestone. While things may have changed in the community, it is still the only place to be on Christmas Eve. But, you really should come to both the Nourse and Castro shows! Why choose just one?
It was 40 years ago when author Armistead Maupin penned the very first article bringing the colorful life and times of San Francisco to the entire world. Armistead joins us in an evening full of stories and music: Tales Of Our City, Our Lives, Our Heroes. We are also thrilled to be joined by the incredible Bay Area Rainbow Sym-phony. 300 men and a 60-piece orchestra could only fit on the stage at Davies Symphony Hall, April 15, 2016.
The evening also includes excerpts from “Naked Man,” the ground-breaking multi-movement piece originally performed by the Chorus in 1995 that chronicles the lives of the men of SFGMC. We’ll also present a world premiere by Mari Valverde, one of the world’s up-and-coming trans-gender women composers.
As has been the case in the past few years, the Chorus ends big—and we mean BIG. In celebration of Pride, we turn our attention to men. Well, that’s no surprise. But this time around, it is men singing together! Our Pride celebration is titled Heartthrobs: Biggest Boyband Ever. Come see us at the Nourse Theater on June 24 and 25.
Heartthrobs: Biggest Boyband Ever features the best from the boybands that have stolen our hearts over the years. From The Beach Boys to The Beatles, from the Bee Gees to Boyz II Men, we’ve got it all. Hang on to your heart and your seats when you hear 300 men singing your favorite songs from your favorite boybands!
I’m totally jazzed about this season. As I mentioned at the beginning, we have over 300 handsome men arriving for the start of rehearsals next week. They are getting ready for you! I know we are going to deliver exactly what you expect from the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus: the unexpected!!!
For more information about the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and to subscribe to their 38th season, please visit http://www.sfgmc.org
Dr. Timothy Seelig is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus.
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